Grade 6 Up-This easy-to-read title describes some well-known types of alternative medicine such as homeopathic, chiropractic, herbal, and nutritional therapies. The author discusses the relationship between conventional practices and these alternative methods, carefully examining the historical and current evidence that promotes or disclaims the treatments. She explains the kinds of questions to ask and gives information to evaluate the answers upon exploring such practices. The author does not advocate alternative medicine, but instead cautions readers to analyze the claims and to inform their medical doctor of the alternative treatments they try. This is a more skeptical approach than Howard Facklam's Alternative Medicine (21st Century, 1996), which covers much of the same material. A few undistinguished black-and-white photographs show people receiving treatments and lots of plants and pills.
Martha Gordon, formerly at South Salem Library, NY
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Gr. 7^-9. This Issues in Focus series title is a straightforward examination of treatments that fall outside the realm of current Western medical practice. Kowalski explains the difference between conventional (biomedicine) and alternative treatments. She devotes separate chapters to homeopathy and chiropractic medicine, medical practices from India and China, herbal and nutritional therapies, massage, and biofeedback and other meditation-or prayer-based therapies. Last, she discusses the current state of research in alternative treatments, medical fraud, and issues one should keep in mind when considering alternative treatments. Kowalski writes clearly and directly, maintaining both respect for the reader's intelligence and an objective attitude toward the material. The black-and-white photos and the index are only adequate; however, the text is well documented, with extensive chapter notes, a glossary, and a selective bibliography. A good introduction to the subject that will be useful for middle-and high-school assignments. Ellen Loughran
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